The widespread availability of high speed, affordable, always-on broadband access is central to the development of Ireland as a knowledge and information society.
The Government has approved a national group broadband scheme to address the broadband needs in under-served small, rural or more remote communities. It is envisaged that, under this scheme, local community organisations will partner with broadband service providers to make a joint application for grant aid for the capital costs associated with the provision of broadband services in their locality.
While it is anticipated that in the majority of cases community organisations will seek to partner with existing recognised and authorised broadband service providers, it is not a condition of the scheme that they must do so. There is nothing precluding not-for-profit groups applying for funding under this scheme.
In reviewing applications under this scheme, my Department will seek to ensure that grant aided projects meet the current and projected broadband needs of end users in the community; provide a sustainable service, that is, that the service is technically and financially viable on an ongoing basis after initial grant aid support; are implemented in a focused and readily achievable manner; meet the requirements specified by the Commission for Communications Regulation for the provision of broadband services; and adopt a cost-effective approach which minimises the public funding requirement.
